ABSTRACT
Correctional institutions are not monoliths. There is variation between and within institutions, and the populations they serve vary markedly. Yet, most research, programs, and policies designed for jails and prisons do not capture the broad differences in the individuals housed in these institutions and the variation in the institutions themselves. The gender composition of prisons and jails is also changing. There has been a growth in the number and proportion of women in prisons and jails. The authors provide an excellent review of many contemporary issues that face individuals who live, work, and manage correctional institutions. However, the scope of these problems is still unknown as data systems and even an accurate number of people incarcerated, particularly in some jails and in some states, are unknown. The lack of systematic data on incarceration was a particular challenge during the initial outbreaks of the COVID-19 virus, where correctional institutions were hit the hardest.
